Hiram p



(No Model.)

H. P. PRUIM.

ADJUSTING BEAT OP CLOCKS.

No. 325,111. Patented Aug. 26, 1885.

N. PETERS, Phatu-Liihugmpher, washm wn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFER.

HIEAM P. PRUlM, OF GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS OAIRUS, OF SAME PLACE.

ADJUSTING BEAT OF CLOGKS.

SPECIFICATEOI'T Iorzning part of Letters Patent No. 325,111, dated August 25, 1885.

Appliealimifilell August 23 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM P. PRUIM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Haven, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement for Adjusting or Plumbing Olock-lllovements, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of clocks in which the movements are governed or regulated by means of a swing ing pendulum; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to provide a means of leveling or plumbing the movements in pendulum clocks, and, second, to facilitate the taking of the movements out of the frame of a clock. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1. is a face view of a clock, showing the movements of a pendulum-clock with my invention attached. Fig. 2 is aside view of the same with the side, of the frame removed to show the movements of a clock attached to an adjustable back. Fig 3 is a face view of an adjustable back detached from the frame ofa clock and movements removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the relative positions of the back of the clock-frame, and the adjustable back,and the application of the setscrew; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same, showing the application of the pivotingscrew.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The frame A, the movements P, and the pendulum D constitute the general outline of the class of clocks to which myinvention may be attached, and the adjustable back 0, the pivoting-screw I, the set-screw J, and the center arm or index, E, constitute the main features of my invention.

The adjustable back 0 is secured to the back of the clock-frame at the upper end by means of a pivoting-screw, I, which passes through the back B of the clock-frame and through a hole, N, in the adjustable back 0, and screws into a nut, 2', situated upon and attached to the front side of the adjustable back, and is so arranged that the adjustable back may be adjusted laterally, said screw I acting as a be reversed and the bolt attached to the back 6 oftheelockframe,and,passing throughthc slot Lin the adjustable back, receive the nut front of the adjustable back. The set-screw J is provided with a shoulder or projecting head,

which is brought to bear upon the slotted 5- washer or guard K for the purpose of holding the adjustable back firmly in place when adjusted.

The slot L in the adjustable back is made of sufficient width to allow of a free lateral motion of the back over the set-screw J, and of sufficient length to allow the adjustable back to be carried round and adjust the movements of the clock plumb or in beat, regardless of the position that the frame of the clock may accidentally assume when sitting upon a shelf or other device or when secured to the wall by means of ascrew or otherwise, and is protected by means of the slotted washer or guard K, which is attached to the 80 face of the adjustable back 0. The arm or center E is secured to the-lower 'end of the adjustable back and projects out to or beyond the point d of the peudulmnrod, for the purclock are brought to aposition corresponding with the center of gravity of the pendulumrod.

The movements P of the clock, instead of being attached to the back of the clock-frame, as usual, are attached to the adjustable back by means of the lugs and screws bb,in the same manner that they are usually attached to the back of the clock-frame.

If when placing a clock in position it is found to be out of beat, or does not beat squarely or regularly, allow the pendulum to hang free and motionless at itsnatural center of gravity, loosen the set-screw J, carry the lower end of the adjustable back over until ICO the index or arm E comes directly under the point (I of the pemlulunrrod, and secure the pose of indicating when the movements of the 3 adjustable back in place by tightening the setscrew J.

The lower end of the adjustable back 0 may be provided with a weight, 0, of any desired or convenient form, in which case the adj ust able back may be allowed to swing freely upon the pivoting-screw I, and adjust itself and the movements of the clock to the proper center by the natural gravity of the weight. \Vhile this mode of adjustment is more convenient and expeditious than the use of the set-screw without the weight, I prefer the use of the set-screw as being more direct and positive, and less likely to be thrown out of position by reason of a sudden jar or transient motion.

I find by experiment that I cannot confine the pivotingscrew I to any one particular point in all clocks, but that while upon some clocks it may be situated upon a line with the center of the movements of the clock, in others it is necessary to place it upon a line with the extreme upper portion of the movements, and at other points according to the position of the scape-wheel and verge G.

To take the movements out of aclock-frame when my appliance is in use, unscrew the setscrew J and the pivoting-screw I and remove the adjustable back and movements.

The hole N in the adjustable back may be protected by means of a collar or sleeve pass ing through the hole N over the screw I, for the purpose of facilitating the Working of the pivot as well as protecting the back, or the sleeve may pass through both the adjustable back 0 and the back B of the clock-frame.

I am aware that prior to myinvention clocks have been madehaving an adjustable back for the purpose of leveling or adjusting the movements. I therefore do not claim such a combination, broadly, but

\Vhat I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in a clock having an adjustable back, 0, supported by a pivoting screw, I, with the slot L, the set-screw J, the guard K, and a center arm or index, E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A clock having a pendulum, D, and movements P, in combination wit-h the adjustable back G, the pivotingscrew I, the set screw .I, the slot L, the center arm or index, E, and the weight 0, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

HIRAM I. PRU l )I.

\Vitnesses:

F. B. HARVEY, I. J. CILLEY. 

